Breast Milk and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is very important for both you and your baby

Breast milk - Breastfeeding your baby if you can, is nature’s way of allowing us mothers to give our lovely little babies the best start in life possible. If you can breastfeed your baby, then please go for it as its health rewards are incredible for both mommy and baby.

Breastfeeding gives you the opportunity to bond with your baby, the skin to skin contact that your baby receives, the sound of your heart beating; it all makes your baby feel warm and safe.

Natures Perfect Food for Babies

Mother's milk is without a doubt the most perfect food that a baby can get at birth. It contains all that a newborn baby would need and all in the right proportions for that particular stage in a baby's life. Plus, this special milk contains the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals for your baby to thrive especially when mommy is eating right too.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby

Both mother and baby will benefit from breastfeeding. Breast milk has a lot of advantages, it is readily available, it's clean so you don’t have to worry about sterilizing feeding bottles all the time, it is highly nutritious and is designed specifically for your baby's needs.

Breastfeeding  your baby will help protect him/her from infections and the common cold. And if your baby did get a cold it won’t be as bad as it would have been had your baby not been breastfeeding. And the bonus for mommy is that breastfeeding will also help you lose the baby fat. Now that’s gold!

When Can I stop Breastfeeding My Baby?

The World Health Organization and most of the other big health organizations advise mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of their baby's lives.  You and your baby can enjoy this special gift for as long as you wish. How long one breastfeeds their baby is really a matter of personal choice. I weaned my first daughter off breast milk when she was 16 months old and my second was weaned at 15 months of age.

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For more information about breastfeeding, help with breastfeeding problems and the benefits of breastfeeding click here